Golden Queenie is claimed!
July 13, 2009 by Marineadmin
Filed under Events, Featured, Latest
Sarah Brown of Edremony, Port Erin, has claimed the coveted Golden Queenie, pipping fellow explorers at the post on a Port Erin beach.
The organisers of the Isle of Man Queenie Festival buried the treasure in a secret location several weeks ago, encouraging the public to discover its whereabouts with a series of teasing clues contained in the festival programme.
With an estimated value of £4,000, the hiding place of the solid gold queenie shell has been the subject of intense interest – and much digging!
The treasure trail has taken Queenie hunters far and wide over the Island, from St Trinian’s Church to the Round Table.
But yesterday (Sunday 12th July), Port Erin woman Sarah Brown dug up the prize virtually on her own doorstep: the Golden Queenie was buried on ‘Mortuary Beach’, a small, pebbly cove adjoining the main Port Erin shore.
Sarah describes the lead-up to her discovery: ‘I realised weeks ago where it was and I’d been digging, trying to find the exact spot, ever since. Everything fitted, all the clues linked up in my mind. Also, I’m quite obsessive – I’m the sort of person who counts their steps wherever they go – so I knew straightaway, for instance, how many steps there were down to the beach.’
Sarah was not the only person to pinpoint Mortuary Beach as the Queenie hotspot; she estimates that there were around 30 people digging at the site, and 6 at the time of her discovery – leaving few stones unturned!
‘I must have spent about 40 hours digging – I’ve given myself a bad back! I’d dug these huge, deep trenches but the Queenie was buried in quite shallow ground. I just scraped some sand away from one of my trenches and there it was, right next to where I’d already been digging.
‘When I found it, I couldn’t stop screaming and pointing! I was so excited.’
How did the other treasure hunters react? ‘Other people on the beach were telling me to pick it up. Everyone came and huddled round and one woman said I deserved it, because I’d spent so many hours digging’.
On that day, Sarah was digging on her own but on other occasions, her young son was a willing helper. She says ‘He’s really excited too. I’m going to buy him a present for helping me’.
Sarah has yet to claim the actual Golden Queenie: buried in the sand was a tupperware box with a yellow painted Queenie shell and a code number, which Sarah had to quote to the festival organisers to verify her find. She will now receive her prize at a special presentation, to be announced soon.
Apart from winning the prize, Sarah says that one of the best things about the challenge has been the other treasure hunters: ‘I’ve never met so many new people as I have in the last few weeks; it’s been fantastic’.
Festival organiser Tim Croft, of Island Seafare, says, ‘The hunt for the Golden Queenie has captured the public imagination. People have been researching and discovering things they never knew about the Isle of Man. What’s also been great is that it’s got people out and about, seeing new places, meeting people they know and having a yarn!’
The discovery of the Golden Queenie, which was donated by Celtic Gold of Peel, brings the hugely successful Queenie Festival to a close for another year.
Sales & Tales, what a scorcher!
July 1, 2009 by Marineadmin
Filed under Events, Latest
The bay of Port Erin hosted the Sales and Tales event on Wednesday night and once again we were bathed in glorious sunshine.
The evenings events kicked off at 5pm with over 150 local children gathering along Port Erin Beach and a few keen adults joining in whilst others relaxed outside the Cosy Nook enjoying the the usual hospitality combined with tasty treats including Manx Queenies and bacon.
A cannon boomed and across the bay on the flat calm water a boat was seen heading to the beach. The crowds gathered on the waterline as the boat neared and landed with local past figures such as James Kelly (the only survivor of the Brig Lily disaster and Juan Robin (skipper of the local smuggling boat Mauthe Dhoo) amongst others, all of whom were played by actors making their way up the beach where campfires were lit along various locations.
The groups were then split up and lead around to each small fire where they were told local yarns and manx tails about the maritime history of the Isle of Man.
In addition to the story telling the groups were also introduced to a number of boats thanks to the 7th Wave team.
It was great to see the children asking questions and interacting with the story tellers and I am sure the event was enjoyed by everyone young and old. No doubt the Queenies, local food along with a few glasses/bottles of wine (for the adults) rounded of a succesful sun blessed evening of Sales and Tales in the stunning setting of Port Erin bay overlooked by Bradda Head and Milners Tower.
Cornaa Fish Hatchery Open Day – All Welcome
June 24, 2009 by Marineadmin
Filed under Events, Latest
To coincide with the Isle of Man Queenie Festival the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry will be opening the Fish Hatchery at Cornaa on Wednesday 1st July from 10.00 – 16.00.
Come and see the fish and learn how the hatchery produces up to 25,000 rainbow trout every year for stocking out to the Island’s reservoirs. Follow the life cycle of the trout and even feed the fish on a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting day out for all the family.
For further details or directions please phone 812224 or 685857
Queenie Festival Programmes now on sale!
June 23, 2009 by Queenieadmin
Filed under Featured, Latest
Official programmes are now on sale at retailers and newsagents around the Island. The programme not only has everything you need to know about the activities and events but also includes exclusive discounts with a number of local businesses, a chance to win Kaiser Chiefs’ tickets and of course the all important Queenie Conundrum.
Can you solve the Golden Queenie Conundrum?
June 20, 2009 by Marineadmin
Filed under Events, Featured, Latest
THE HUNT IS ON FOR SOLID GOLD, BURIED TREASURE WORTH £4,000
The hunt is on for a solid gold Queenie shell worth £4,000 buried somewhere on the Isle of Man. As part of this year’s Isle of Man Queenie Festival a Golden Queenie, moulded by Celtic Gold, has been hidden on the Island for intrepid treasure hunters to find.
What better way to spend a summer’s day than heading out on a real life treasure hunt? The adventure starts with solving the Queenie Conundrum contained within this year’s Queenie Festival Programme, available in retailers around the Island. Additional clues may be made available at a later date but everything you need to identify the location is included in the Queenie Conundrum.
Tim Croft, organizer of the Isle of Man Queenie Festival added, “We are really excited to have such an amazing prize on offer for the Queenie Conundrum treasure hunt. Not only will solving the puzzle and heading out to look for it be great fun, but the reward at the end is truly spectacular for one lucky person or family.”
The Isle of Man Queenie Festival is a week of events celebrating the sea and the Manx Queenie. Events include beach parties, live music, barbeques, sailing, kayaking, diving, fishing, Marine Day and more. Everyone is invited so pick up your event programme and take part.
The Golden Queenie will not be buried on any National Trust or private property.
Manx Queenie Spring Rolls Isle of Man TT 2009 appearance
June 17, 2009 by Marineadmin
Filed under Featured, Latest, Manx Queenies
TT racer Keith Amor and ITV presenter Craig Doyle enjoy a Manx Queenie Spring Roll during the 2009 TT races festival.
Blink and you’ve missed them!
For those of you who are keen TT fans you will have seen our very own Manx Queenie Spring Rolls make an appearance last week on the ITV4 coverage of the Isle of Man TT 2009. Craig Doyle of ITV4 was seen interviewing riders Keith Amor and Connor Cummings as they both tucked into a couple of Manx Queenie Spring Rolls after the second Supersport race with both commenting on what a great snack and how fresh tasting they were.
The Manx Queenies made an appearance at the TT grandstand on Wednesday the 10th of June as part of the launch of the Isle of Man Queenie Festival. Kath Sentance of Relish took the Queenie Roadshow out and about around the island for locals and TT fans to sample the Queenie delights and there was also a chance for any visitors to win a weekend break to the festival that begins on the 29th June this year.
The Queenie Roadshow visited the Peel Honda Day, Ramsey Sprint as well as the TT grandstand as people competed to be the fastest Queenie Spring Roll Roller on the Island (Thanks to Dave Myers and Si King for the recipe last year!)
All in all it was a great success and we even got a spot on ITV4 beamed out around the world! Fantastic!
You will be able to sample lots of Queenie delights including the Manx Queenie Spring Rolls at many of the events being held for this year festival. Pick up a programme from participating newsagents to get the full lowdown!
Isle of Man Queenie Roadshow hits town
June 7, 2009 by Marineadmin
Filed under Events, Featured, Latest
As part of the build up to the Isle of man Queenie Festival, the Queenie Roadshow will be out and about around the island with heaps of delicious Queenie delights for you to sample and taste. And if you don’t live on the Isle of Man, there is the chance to win a weekend break to the festival that begins on the 29th June this year.
The Queenie Roadshow will be out and about on at the following locations:
Sunday 7th June @ Peel 12-2
Tuesday 9th June @ Sprint 12-2
Wednesday 10th June @ Grandstand 4-6pm
It’s all out war as people compete to be the fastest Queenie Spring Roll Roller on the Island (Thanks to Dave Myers and Si King for the recipe last year!)
Its only £1 to enter and half of the money raised will go to the Helicopter Fund and the other half to the fastest person on each day. Plus you get to eat your results, so you can’t lose!
Entries open for Flipper Football
May 27, 2009 by Marineadmin
Filed under Events, Featured, Latest
As part of the tonnes of entertainment taking place in this years 2009 Queenie Festival there is also the crazy beach sport of Flipper Football!
The Flipper Football tournament is taking place on Friday 3 July as part of the ‘Love you beach’ event taking place on Port Erin Beach from 6pm.
For those of you not familiar with Flipper Football here is a short run down:
1. The main element is fun – well would you take it seriously!
2. Mixed teams and ages can take part
3. There are 5 players on field per side at any one time, with one sub available
4. There is no goalie
5. The only time you can touch with ball with your hands is for a throw in
6. It’s a real laugh
7. Flippers are provided
8. Its difficult to swerve the ball
9. You don’t have to be good at football
10. Its different
So if you fancy getting a team together for a bit of fun, why not download an entry form here Flipper Football Entry Form and return your entry to:
Flipper Football
Isle of Man Queenie Festival
Island Seafare
The Quay
Port St Mary
IM9 5EA
Manx Queenie Recipe Competitions Launched
May 16, 2009 by Marineadmin
Filed under Events, Featured, Latest, Manx Queenies
Two recipe competitions have been launched as part of the 2009 Isle of Man Queenie Festival. The public, and Chef’s from the Island’s hospitality sector, are invited to enter imaginative Manx Queenie dishes to be judged as part of this year’s week-long festival.
This year’s recipe competitions take on a new format, pitting the finalists against each other in a Masterchef style cook off. The two head-to-head battles will be open to the public and will be judged by a select panel. The winner will be announced following the cook offs on Friday 3rd July 2009.
Entries to the public recipe competition will be narrowed down to two finalists who will compete head-to-head for the trophy and prize of £100 worth of seafood.
The prestigious hospitality recipe competition provides a platform for the Island’s finest Chef’s to showcase their talent. The winning entry will receive the esteemed Isle of Man Queenie Festival Hospitality Recipe Trophy as well as £200 worth of seafood.
The Manx Queenie recipe competition sponsor, Paddy’s Market, has kindly provided the seafood prizes for both competitions.
All recipe entries should be supplied on the Competition Entry Forms by 3pm on Saturday 20th June 2009. Entry forms can be downloaded from the Queenie Festival website, www.queeniefestival.com or by emailing competitions@queeniefestival.com. More information and updates for the 2009 Isle of Man Queenie Festival can be found on their website or on the Queenie Festival Facebook page.
Fishy fun with The Fairly Famous Family
April 22, 2009 by Marineadmin
Filed under Events, Featured, Latest
The Fairly Famous Family is set to return to the Isle of Man to entertain, inspire and surprise with its unique brand of high quality, original street theatre.
The company, led by the inimitable Jem Hulbert, a professional comedy juggler and psychology graduate, performed to great acclaim for schools and the public on the Island in the summer of 2007.
Jem’s website describes how juggling routines are seamlessly linked with comedy patter, live music, magic and daring feats. A quote on the website from Max Davidson in the Daily Telegraph sums up the spirit: ‘As Jem milks the crowd, I recall a line of classroom Shakespeare: “This fellow’s wise enough to play the fool”. Exactly.’
Based in Cumbria, The Fairly Famous Family has been performing throughout Britain and Europe for nearly 20 years, travelling in its distinctive yellow van to venues as diverse as streets, schools, hospitals, prisons, football stadiums, trains and castles.
This latest visit to the Isle of Man will see the company perform at primary and secondary schools and appear at a number of public events.
From 30 June to 3 July the Family will take maritime and Victorian-themed shows and workshops from its extensive repertoire into Anagh Coar, Willaston, Murray’s Road, Ballaugh, Scoill Phurt le Moirrey and St Thomas’ primary schools.
There will be special teatime workshops at which pupils at Jurby School and Bunscoill Ghaelgagh will be invited to learn street theatre skills.
At Ballakermeen High School, Year 7 pupils and students in the school’s Comedy Club will be able to enjoy a show especially for an older age range.
Later in the week the Family will appear at the Isle of Man Queenie Festival, popping up at the Love Your Beach event at Port Erin on Friday 3 July and Marine Day at Port St Mary on Saturday 4 July.
Further details of the Family’s involvement in the week-long festival, which reaches its conclusion on Sunday 5 July, will be announced as they are confirmed.
Performances at Tynwald Fair on Monday 6 July will be the culmination of the Family’s week on the Island.
The visit has been organised by Murray’s Road School, with the school’s Rainbow Fish Room nurture group playing a key part in all the necessary arrangements. Teacher Jill Dunlop said: ‘The Fairly Famous Family provides a unique form of entertainment that is great fun and appeals to all ages.’
Jem is looking forward to his return to the Isle of Man and said: ‘Manx audiences are fantastic. The performance at the Villa Marina Gardens last time was a really memorable evening. It will be extra special this year to be over for Tynwald Day and the Queenie Festival. We can’t wait!’
06s
A warm welcome is extended to all to come along and join in the fun at any of the public events.
The visit is supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.
Contacts for further information:
The Fairly Famous Family – 01539 433 268
Jill Dunlop, Murray’s Road School – 01624 621681
Links:
